As Patron of the New Zealand Opera School, Grammy Award-winning tenor Simon O’Neill reflects on the early days that shaped his career — and the mentors whose lessons still echo through every note he sings. He remembers Frances Wilson, whose drive and generosity taught singers that artistry is more than just voice — it’s discipline, courage, and truth. After the School, Frances invited Simon to her New York studio, opening the path to Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, the San Francisco Opera’s Merola Programme, and the Metropolitan Opera National Council Finals. And Raymond Hawthorne, whose legendary acting classes at NZOS demanded honesty and emotional depth, helping young artists understand that opera is storytelling at its most human. Their influence still resonates through every singer who passes through Whanganui — a legacy Simon now champions as our Patron. ✨ We can’t wait to see who will join us for the Class of 2026 and carry this spirit forward. #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #OperaTraining #SimonONeill #OperaInAotearoa #OperaEducation

🎶 Save the Date — 29 October 2025 🎶 Join us for a special evening celebrating some of New Zealand’s most promising young tenors, as they compete for the Jim Stevenson Tenor Scholarship at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall (7 PM). This is a rare chance to hear emerging Kiwi voices at the very beginning of their international journeys — singers who have completed their training here in Aotearoa and now need support to take that next bold step overseas. The scholarship, created in honour of Jim Stevenson — a lawyer, diplomat and lifelong supporter of the arts — continues his legacy of nurturing excellence and opportunity. 🎟️ Tickets: ticketmaster.co.nz 💰 $50 / $40 (concession) For more about the Trust or to donate, visit jsperformingarts.org Let’s come together to support the next generation of Kiwi tenors — and maybe witness the start of another world-class operatic career. #NZOpera #NZOSAlumni #TenorScholarship #SupportTheArts #OperaInAotearoa

🌟 Alumna Update: Amina Edris 🌟 The 2025/26 season is nothing short of extraordinary for Amina: ✨ Role & house debut at the Opéra Comique in Les Contes d’Hoffmann — singing all four heroines. ✨ House debut at the Opéra national de Lyon as Antonia in Les Contes d’Hoffmann. ✨ Gala appearance at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées (Diapason d’Or). ✨ Return to the Opéra national de Paris as Micaëla in Carmen. ✨ Recital with Pene Pati at the Opéra national de Bordeaux. ✨ House debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Musetta in La bohème. ✨ House debuts at the Polish National Opera and Semperoper Dresden as Juliette in Roméo et Juliette. From Paris to New York, Warsaw to Dresden, alumna Amina Edris is truly dazzling the world stage. 🌍🎶 📅 Full details → aminaedris.com 📸 Capucine de Chocqueuse #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni #AminaEdris

🌟 Alumnus Update: Filipe Manu 🌟 From Whanganui in January — when he joined us as a guest singer and sat down with Donald Trott for an inspiring interview — to now announcing an extraordinary 2025–26 season across six major companies and six countries. ✨ Season highlights include appearances with: 🇬🇧 English National Opera 🇳🇿 New Zealand Symphony Orchestra 🇪🇸 Gran Teatre del Liceu 🇲🇨 Opéra de Monte-Carlo 🇦🇺 Opera Australia 🇦🇹 Wiener Staatsoper A season of debuts, revivals, and exciting collaborations. We’re so proud to see Filipe’s artistry continue to shine on stages around the world. Truly a star in motion. ✨ #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #Alumni 📸 Keith Saunders

One of the most important turning points in Simon O’Neill’s career happened right here at the New Zealand Opera School. The legendary Madame Virginia Zeani — who had sung alongside Corelli, Bergonzi, Domingo, and Pavarotti — recognised that Simon was not a baritone, but a tenor. Her blend of technical refinement and emotional depth, along with her uncompromising honesty, helped him discover his true voice. According to Simon, that single moment in Whanganui became the spark for everything that followed. Today, Simon honours her legacy as both a world-class tenor and our Patron — proof of how one teacher’s insight at NZOS can change a life forever. #nzos #nzoperaschool #virginiazeani #simononeill #throwback

There’s nothing quite like sitting at the Hilton, watching the sunset, glass in hand, and hearing opera float through the air. 🌅🎶 Every Friday at 6:30pm, this iconic spot has become home to unforgettable evenings of music and NZ hospitality at its finest. This week, join us for performances by Kiki Nishiyama, Naomi Harwood and Morag Atchison, with the wonderful Claire Caldwell at the piano. 📍 Hilton Auckland 📆 Friday October 3rd, 6:30pm Come for the view, stay for the music. 🌟 #OperaXChampagne #NZOS #LiveOpera #HiltonAuckland #NZOperaSchool

As we approach the 32nd year of the School (January 2026), our Patron Simon O’Neill ONZM reflects on the summer of 1995—the inaugural year of our school—when he arrived in Whanganui “full of ambition and curiosity.” That week placed him in the orbit of a founding faculty whose brilliance set a standard he has aspired to ever since. And it all began with a phone call: Founder Donald Trott rang the O’Neill home in Ashburton in 1994. Simon’s late father, Brian, called out, “Simon, Donald Trump is on the phone about your singing!” A memorable mishearing—and the start of one of the most important relationships of Simon’s life. According to him, Donald has remained a friend, colleague, and above all a mentor whose encouragement shaped his career. #nzos #nzoperaschool #simononeill #alumni

The Joan Kennaway Aria saw the podium filled with NZOS talent — what a moment for our whānau! 🥇 Sarah Mileham (alumna) 🥈 Holly Evans 🥉 Jack Doyle (alumnus) Competitions like these are about more than prizes — they’re about growth, artistry, and supporting one another along the way. We’re so proud to see our alumni stepping up, encouraging each other, and sharing their voices. 🤍🎶 #NZOperaSchool #AlumniUpdate #OperaFuture #Alumni #OperaTraining

✨ In Concert with Stephen Diaz ✨ Here’s a special throwback to our Winter Gala 2023, where countertenor Stephen Diaz lit up the stage with his unforgettable voice. Now, you have the chance to hear him live again — this time in an intimate concert setting. On Wednesday 1 October (5pm), Stephen will perform in the atrium of the Whanganui Regional Museum, joined by pianist Bruce Greenfield. His programme, Maneras de Amar, takes audiences on a journey through the many faces of love. Stephen returns from Europe fresh off performances with Bach Musica NZ and Orpheus Choir Wellington & Auckland Choral, and with only 120 tickets available, this is a truly unique opportunity. 📆 Wednesday 1 October ⏰ 5pm 📍 Whanganui Regional Museum 🎟️ $35 →https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153739 #nzos #NZOperaSchool #countertenor #operatraining #countertenor

✨ Big news for our alumnus Emmanuel — he’s just started his journey as a Jette Parker Artist at the Royal Ballet And Opera in London! A dream role at one of the world’s great opera houses — Emmanuel is without doubt one to watch. 🌍🎶 Good luck, Emmanuel! #NZOS #NZOperaSchool #OperaTraining #JetteParker

✨ In Concert with Stephen Diaz ✨ A rare chance to hear one of New Zealand’s finest countertenors and NZOS alumnus, Stephen Diaz, live in the beautiful atrium of the Whanganui Regional Museum. Joined by pianist Bruce Greenfield, Stephen will perform Maneras de Amar — a stunning programme exploring the many faces of love. 🎶 “It is Stephen Diaz as Athamas who steals the scene, the countertenor having such a sumptuous richness of timbre… sending shivers of delight throughout the room.” – Sarah Kidd, 2020 Fresh from concerts with Bach Musica NZ and Orpheus Choir Wellington & Auckland Choral, Stephen returns from Europe for this special evening in Whanganui. With only 120 tickets available, it’s one not to miss! 📆 Wednesday 1 October ⏰ 5pm 📍 Whanganui Regional Museum 🎟️ $35 → Book here: https://rwoh.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/153739 📸 Stephen Diaz at the 2023 NZOS Winter Gala #nzoperaschool #nzos #opera

From Auckland to the world’s greatest opera houses, Pene Pati is living a dream shared by every young singer — this season he will make his debut at the legendary Teatro alla Scala in Milan, singing Edgardo in Lucia di Lammermoor. La Scala is the ultimate stage in opera history, and Pene’s arrival there is nothing short of monumental. 🌟 And that’s just one highlight in a season overflowing with milestones: Recital at New York’s Park Avenue Armory (Sept 24 & 26, 2025) with pianist Ronny Michael Greenberg La Traviata at Staatsoper Berlin (Oct 2 & 4, 2025), conducted by Karel Marek Chichon Major debuts as Hoffmann (Les contes d’Hoffmann, Staatsoper Berlin), Werther (Opéra Comique Paris), and Tito (La Clemenza di Tito, Zürich Opera) Concerts including Faust at Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Verdi’s Requiem in Naples, and *Berlioz’s Requiem at Paris’ Philharmonie Step by step, stage by stage, Pene is conquering the operatic world — and his La Scala debut will mark a pinnacle moment in that journey. Bravo, Pene! 👏 #NZOperaSchool #NZOS #PenePati #LaScala #OperaWorld